Family planning, from preconception to perimenopause.

Prices vary by clinician and by whether any procedures — LARC insertion, immunity blood tests, genetic screening — are done at the same visit. NHS provision remains the first-line and is often the right route.

• Planning a pregnancy

  Folic acid 400 mcg daily (5 mg if diabetic, epileptic, BMI ≥30 or previous NTD), immunity checks and medication review three months before trying.

• Choosing contraception

  A method matched to your UKMEC profile — LARC first-line per NICE NG201, with an honest comparison of typical-use failure rates.

• Emergency contraception

  ellaOne up to 5 days after sex, Levonelle up to 3 days, or a copper coil — the most effective option — up to 5 days.

• Trying to conceive

  Cycle awareness, LH ovulation testing, timing advice, and when to seek fertility investigation — 12 months under 35, 6 months over.

• Postpartum contraception

  Progestogen-only methods immediately, combined pill avoided until 6 weeks, LARC insertion from 4 weeks or in the delivery room.

• Perimenopausal review

  Contraception is needed until age 55. A LARC alongside HRT is a valid and often elegant combination.

• Medical conditions changing the plan

  VTE history, migraine with aura, hypertension, breast cancer — UKMEC categories that rule some methods in and others out.

• Red flag: severe pelvic pain or bleeding

  Severe pain after coil insertion, unexplained heavy bleeding or suspected ectopic — same-day A&E, not a clinic booking.

• Folic acid three months before trying

  400 mcg daily for most; 5 mg if you are diabetic, epileptic, have a BMI of 30 or above, or have had a previous neural tube defect pregnancy.

• Perfect use vs typical use

  The pill is 99% effective in perfect use and ~91% in typical use. LARC methods are >99% in both — the honest reason NICE recommends them first-line.

• UKMEC categories matter

  Migraine with aura, VTE history, uncontrolled hypertension and current breast cancer change which methods are safe. We check before we prescribe.

• Emergency contraception windows

  ellaOne within 5 days, Levonelle within 3 days, copper coil within 5 days — the coil is by far the most effective and the only method that also prevents future pregnancies.

• Postpartum timing

  Progestogen-only methods can start immediately. Combined hormonal contraception is avoided until 6 weeks. LARCs from 4 weeks, or in the delivery room.

• Perimenopausal cover

  Contraception is still needed until age 55 — LARC plus HRT is a common, elegant combination and often preferred.

• Confidentiality for young people

  Under-16s who are Fraser-competent can receive confidential contraception. We follow the same standard privately.

• Gender-diverse care

  Contraception is offered based on anatomy and risk, not gender identity, and hormonal transition does not remove the need for it.

• Red flags

  Severe one-sided pain after a coil, heavy or persistent bleeding, shortness of breath or calf swelling on hormonal methods — same-day medical review.